Valentine's Day Tradition

Thanks to my mom starting the tradition of a Valentine's Day breakfast, I decided to do one again this year. The food was quite a bit different, but the effect was still the same. My mom would make things like bacon, eggs, grits, sausage, biscuits, and have orange juice and milk. She would give us a valentine and then put conversation hearts, chocolates and Big Red gum by our plate. She'd have a red table cloth with her white plates from England. It's one of my favorite childhood memories. When I did it last year Lauren asked, "Can we do this every year." It's funny how that extra effort is so special to them.

This year I attempted to make heart shaped pancakes....I got three done before I decided to finish off with the small silver dollar type. I also made chocolate chip muffins, bacon, and homemade hot chocolate. We had milk and cran-raspberry juice because the girls don't like orange juice. They also don't like eggs, grits or sausage so that's why I made some substitutes. I bought some cute valentine takeout boxes and put kisses and Reese's peanut butter cups in them....they love PB cups!! They don't really like conversation hearts or cinnamon gum. Auburn cracked me up. When she saw the china dishes with the little pink flowers on them (they were my mom's from when she got married) she said, "Is this what these dishes are for?" We've used them a few times before, but I guess she doesn't remember. Apparently I need to get them out more often. :) Lauren said, "I love Valentine's breakfast because you get all these good things and you don't have to rush." I hope they will enjoy this tradition and carry it on to their kids. I can really appreciate what my mom did though. I'm not such a great cook, and it's hard to work out the timing when you're making a lot of things. She has it down to an art form. I was so tired after I was done with that and the dishes, but it was soooo worth it. The girls really appreciated it.

Auburn liked the little teacups. Look at her pinkie sticking out! :)

My funny Valentine's. Kathy, I hope I can get that shirt pried off of her before you leave.

Brook had to leave before breakfast so when he got home we had a little lunch/dinner for two. Steak with mushrooms & onions, baked potatoes with all the fixings, and raspberry parfait (which he loves). We knew the girls wouldn't be thrilled about it so we went ahead and ate. They asked for PB&J (for Auburn), and PB&Honey (for Lauren). I also made them heart shaped jigglers and heart shaped rice crispy treats to go with it. I don't know why, but kids love food that are in unexpected shapes. It was a fun day! I think I have my cooking quota in for the month now. :) The orange roses are from Brook. I love orange roses!!

Valentine's Parties

The girls had their Valentine's Day parties at school yesterday. I was in charge of a game for Lauren's class. I found a website that had a bunch of simple relay games. The kids seemed to have a lot of fun racing against eachother. We did one where they had to hop down and back with a small beanbag/pillow between their knees. Then they had to use to large hearts to get from one end of the room to the other...they couldn't touch the carpet. Next we had them stay in their teams and each a piece of licorice. The next person in line couldn't start eating theirs until the first one was done. This was really funny!! Some kids shoved the whole piece in their mouth and tried to chomp on it, while others took small bits at a time. I had to keep reminding them that it was a game and not to choke themselves or throw up. We also had a jar of candy that they had to guess the number of pieces. The girl that won was so cute. She said, "I never win anything. I just thought I should write that number down." She had forgotten to put her name on it, so I'm glad she found it and got it on their. Before I sent them back to class, I gave them a wordsearch with all of the kids names on it. I love all the cool, free websites on the internet. It makes doing these parties so much easier. I don't have the creativity to come up with these things. I saw a few classes make ipods out of conversation heart boxes and reese's peanut butter cups. They turned out really cute.

Lauren during the paper heart relay.

Please don't choke on the licorice!

Doesn't she look happy in the front row??!!! They made these woven envelopes in class.

Auburn's class party was well under way when I came. I wasn't signed up, but just thought I'd pop in to see if they needed help. They were passing peach or raspberry rings with straws in this game. Lauren and Auburn's class made the ipods with the conversation hearts.

Fun times at the school. The kids are holding up their valentine boxes that they made at home.

Thankful Thursday

This is what I'm thankful for today....

*Lauren's self haircut actually turned out cute and even.
(Yes, she did cut her own hair without me knowing about it 2 days before class picture day. She cut off about 8 inches!!)
*The baby is doing well....heartbeat sounds good.
*The girls didn't have any cavities at their dentist appointment today!
*I made it through another day of popcorn making at the school.
(Now I know why Summer doesn't like popcorn)

Overall Love

I had an epiphany yesterday. Now I know why my grandpa and uncles have worn overalls all these years. Not only are they comfortable, but when you have a big belly and no behind....you don't have to keep hitching up your pants. I am so tempted to go buy me some suspenders. I can't keep my pants up....especially when I'm walking around a store.

So here is my ode to overalls.

Overalls, I love you so.

You are so comfortable.

You are so stable.

You make me happy.

I don't care what others think of you.

I don't care what others say about you.

Thank you for being there for me.

Yes, I have lost it....I don't care....comfort is all that matters now! :)

Good News / Bad News

** If you aren't a Shannon Hale fan, please feel free to stop reading now.**

Good news: Oooo Oooo Oooo, here is the proposed cover for Shannon Hale's new book. Isn't it a great cover?! I love it! It's always easier for me to read a book when I like the cover. SO sad, but true.

Bad news: I thought it was coming out in May, but they have it listed as June now. Amazon has it available for pre-sale now....due to receive it June 9th. I will just have to wait.

Anyone interested in reading it for a book club? I don't belong to one, but I thought it would be fun if we did it online since we all can't meet together. If you haven't read any of her books yet, I would recommend Austenland.

Two More Months

2 more months until my official due date. We've still got a lot to do. We need to dig the crib out of the shed and put it together. We need to pull all the other baby paraphernalia out of the shed and get it wiped off or washed. I want to make a hooded towel, a receiving blanket and a couple of burp clothes. We'll see what all we can get done. Auburn overheard me talking to Debbie about her eventually getting her own room. I thought it would be quite a way down the road, but after she came and asked me about it, she started to get excited. She is so funny. She started to plan everything out. Much more ambitious than I feel right now. :)

Thankful Thursday

OK, I'll admit that I'm not one to look forward to meetings....I enjoy them when I get there though. I don't know what it is about getting into church clothes in the evening, but it's really hard for me sometimes. I actually dread it. I whine and complain....then I'm done. Now to the thankful part.

I went to a ward conference last night and Pres. McDermott spoke about his mission president, Vaughn J. Featherstone. He talked about how he taught them the concept of filling up other people's buckets. Being someone that gives sincere compliments to help others feel better about themselves. It seems when people do that for me, it makes me want to do better, try harder....

I want to be that type of person.

So here it is.....I'm thankful for meetings :) It's surprising what you learn sometimes.